The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued a high-priority cyber alert regarding deepfake videos of top government officials. Scammers are using AI-generated content on social media to promote fake welfare schemes, tricking citizens into paying illegal fees via UPI. Officials emphasize that no genuine government program requires advance payments from beneficiaries.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an urgent warning to citizens regarding a rising wave of cyber fraud fueled by advanced deepfake technology. The Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre, which functions under the National Cybercrime Threat Analytics Unit, has identified a sophisticated campaign where perpetrators mimic the likeness and voice of senior government officials, including the Prime Minister and Finance Minister, to promote non-existent welfare programs.
The fraudulent operation primarily targets users on social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram. Scammers use AI-generated videos to lend credibility to fake government initiatives, promising immediate financial aid. Once an individual shows interest, the scammers move the conversation to personal messaging apps like WhatsApp, often using international numbers with country codes such as +92 to communicate with victims.
At the core of the fraud is the extraction of money under the guise of registration fees, processing charges, or tax obligations. The government has clearly stated that no legitimate welfare scheme requires any upfront payment from a citizen to release funds. Any request for an advance payment to unlock benefits is a primary indicator of a scam.
Financial drain occurs primarily through the misuse of the Unified Payments Interface. Fraudsters manipulate victims into approving fraudulent collect requests or tricking them into revealing sensitive information such as UPI PINs. This tactic exploits the convenience of digital payments, making individuals vulnerable if they are not cautious about verifying the legitimacy of a payment request.
To safeguard personal finances, the authorities have mandated that all government scheme verifications must be done exclusively through official websites rather than links provided on social media advertisements. Citizens are strictly advised not to share banking credentials, one-time passwords, or authorize unknown UPI payment requests.
If a financial loss occurs, the government encourages immediate action. Victims should report the incident to the national cybercrime helpline at 1930 or submit a formal complaint through the official portal at www.cybercrime.gov.in. Prompt reporting is essential for authorities to trace illicit funds and identify those behind the fraudulent campaigns.